Guests at the 5 o’Clock Somewhere bar, opening Friday, will be greeted by stiltwalkers, giveaways and the largest bar of its kind in the nation.

At 5,000 square feet, it’s the first branded venue of the Margaritaville expansion at River Spirit Casino, and it opens at 11 a.m., July 3.

“It’s the first time everyone will get a glimpse of what to expect when the rest of our Margaritaville at River Spirit expansion opens,” said Jerry Floyd, general manager for River Spirit Casino.

The bar is in the center of the current casino, in place of the former Mystic River Lounge. Part roof, part open air, the bar is designed with an island feel. A mural depicting the ocean and beach will enclose the bar, which will contain palm trees.

This is the next milestone in the construction phase of the River Spirit Phase II resort, which includes a 27-story hotel and a Margaritaville Casino at River Spirit on the banks of the Arkansas River.

The casino and restaurants are planned to be completed in late fall of 2016, with the theater and the hotel tower opening in the winter of 2016.

The fast-growing Margaritaville brand will launch on HSN on July 3 with a beautiful assortment of exclusive and curated products that capture the escapism of island living. Every Friday during the month of July, beginning at 5 p.m. (ET), viewers can enjoy ‘It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere’ Margaritaville programming highlighting the branded merchandise that introduces the island mindset to every home. The collection spans across culinary, Home, Apparel, Electronics, Entertaining and Beauty, featuring exclusive products in every area.

HSN is hosting a summer giveaway to celebrate the Margaritaville launch. The ‘Escape to Somewhere‘ sweepstakes launches today through July 31, giving participants the opportunity to explore the true Margaritaville lifestyle with an all expense paid, 7-day, 6-night trip to the Margaritaville Wyndham Rio Mar resort in Puerto Rico. For those who prefer to bring the Margaritaville party home, HSN launched a social campaign in June where Margaritaville fans were invited to share what Margaritaville was to them on Twitter and Instagram for the chance to win a Margaritaville Block Party for themselves and 25 of their friends in their hometown. The winner will be selected on Friday, July 3, during the ‘Five O’Clock Somewhere’ show between 5 and 8 p.m. (ET).

Guitarist Mac McAnally and keyboardist/musical director Michael Utley take some time out from their tour with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band to talk with Dave Hoekstra on the Journal.

They talk about what it’s like collaborating with Buffett, how the unique blend of blues, country and jazz influences from the southern US have shaped their respective sounds, Utley’s work as part of Atlantic Records’ “Dixie Flyers”, and McAnally’s lengthy songwriting career. Listen to the interview here

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band brought the Workin’ n Playin’ tour to the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Chicago last night.

The set list from the show is now available. Buffett and the band played 24 songs including “It’s My Job”, “That’s My Story and I’m Stickin’ To It” (last played June 26th 2007 in Camden, NJ), and a “Banana Republics” / “Cowboy In The Jungle” medley for the final encore.

Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks was a special guest for the show and brought out the Stanley Cup during the song “Volcano” (related story). Kane was a guest on the Bing and Bong show before the show and poured some Landshark Lager into the Stanley Cup. (photo credit: Rockin’ Nature Photography, Ron Horne)

The next leg of the tour resumes on August 13th at the First Niagara Pavilion in Pittsburgh, PA.

Buffett was in Chicago on Wednesday night and had dinner at Shaw’s Crab House. Jimmy enjoyed some oysters and gumbo (in a white sports coat).